Malaga vs Levante preview - Pellegrini has respect for Levante

Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini believes that Levante deserve more respect as a serious contender to finish fourth in the Primera Division

Pellegrini's side currently sit in sixth, a point behind their opponents this weekend, and the Chilean thinks Saturday's match could be vital in deciding who does eventually take the final Champions League slot.

He told the club's website: "It is vital that we maintain our consistency in all the matches that remain in the league.

"It is a very important match because we are playing against a team that is in the Champions League places.

"I find it strange that people are still amazed they are in the top four when they have been there for practically 25 games.

"They have experienced players and they are very clear what they want to do, they are a good team that have had a very consistent year."

Levante won 3-0 when the two sides met back in October, but Pellegrini revealed he was not concentrating on equalising the head-to-head record between the two.

"We aren't thinking about the goal average with Levante, but in winning the three points that would put us ahead of them on points.

"In football anything can happen, but we are not worried about this, our goal is to improve every week and qualify for an important competition."

Pellegrini is expected to name the same side that won 3-1 at Getafe last weekend with Martin Demichelis, Joaquin and Ruud Van Nistelrooy remaining on the bench.

Levante's return to form in recent weeks has coincided with the introduction of Abdelkader Ghezzal to the starting line-up and the Algerian is already building a good relationship with Arouna Kone.

He told AS: "Since I arrived here we have had a perfect understanding. He is like my brother, we have a perfect feeling that we transmit to each other on the pitch."

Ghezzal is also hopeful that Levante can keep their good season going and finish in the top four.

He said: "The road is still very long, there are a lot of matches left. It is possible, but without forgetting our principal objective is still survival.

"For any player the Champions League is a dream. It is the most important competition not only for me, but for the fans and the rest of the squad who also deserve to play in this competition."

Ghezzal and Kone will be paired again in attack but Vicente Iborra and Juanfran are suspended for the visitors so Asier del Horno and Francisco Farinos should start.